Global leaders including Donald Trump are to be invited to Manchester next year as the UK hosts the G20 summit of advanced economies.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a former mayor of Greater Manchester, is set to receive international counterparts for the meeting in November 2027.
Invites will be sent to all G20 members, including Vladimir Putin’s Russia, despite diplomatic strains with the Kremlin following the invasion of Ukraine.
China’s Xi Jinping and Argentina’s Javier Milei are also among the world leaders who will be invited.
Speaking to The Independent on his way to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday, in which will be his first major international gathering as Prime Minister, Mr Burnham said he had made clear to Mr Trump that Manchester is a city with a distinct identity and history.
He also expressed hope that the city’s historic role in opposing the slave trade would resonate with Trump during his visit in 2027.
Preparations for hosting the event in Manchester began before Mr Burnham took office, but the Prime Minister has championed the city since taking power, establishing the No 10 North operation there.
The presidency of the G20 is currently held by the US but will pass to the UK after the leaders’ summit hosted by the president at his Trump National Doral Miami golf resort in December.
The 2027 leaders’ summit will be held at the Manchester Central convention complex, a former railway station in the heart of the city.
Locations across the UK will host other G20 events as part of the year-long presidency.
It comes as Britain and the US made history on Monday by firing the first torpedo from an unmanned undersea drone.
In what has been described as a major boost for Western maritime security, the UK and US last week successfully conducted a historic live firing of a heavyweight torpedo – jointly developed by the US and Australia – designed to sink ships and deep diving submarines.
It is the first time either country had launched the weapon from an undersea uncrewed vessel, rather than a manned submarine.
Meanwhile, Britain announced it would provide military support to Saudi Arabia to counter attacks by Iran-backed Houthis and protect energy supplies, Andy Burnham has confirmed – marking his first authorisation of military action as prime minister.
Speaking to The Independent en route to New York for the UN General Assembly, where will meet Donald Trump face-to-face for the first time, Mr Burnham revealed he had agreed to Riyadh’s request for defensive air-to-air refuelling.
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